The Global Risks Report says that the biggest threats we face both short and long term are climate change and biodiversity loss. 

Our biggest ally against these are forests. But we’re unknowingly consuming them with every coffee, chocolate or burger we buy.

The EU is one of the world’s largest importers of tropical deforestation, second only to China. 

And every loss fuels the same global emergency, because climate change has no borders: protecting one forest is not enough if others are cleared to make room for plantations, cattle grazing and intensive crop farming. So whether this happens in the Amazon or here in the EU, the result is the same: more droughts, extreme weather, and forest fires across Europe, and the climate crisis accelerates. 

The EUDR prohibits products associated with deforestation and forest degradation on the EU market. The EUDR defines traceability and risk-based due diligence obligations for companies trading and transforming forest-risk commodities (soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef & leather, rubber, timber and derived products) placed on, consumed in or exported from the EU market. 

For EU citizens, the EUDR guarantees that the products we buy, like coffee, cocoa, soy, and timber are not linked to deforestation. 

It means not having to constantly question whether your consumption choices are destroying 

forests like the Amazon or the Asian rainforests. 

For farmers and producers around the world, it’s a call to be part of a more sustainable, fair, and resilient future.

Conservative and far-right political groups at the European Parliament, along with several national governments are pressuring the European Commission to change the EUDR by introducing complete exemption from the law for businesses buying products in countries where there is no or very little deforestation. They argue that the current agreed rules create too much bureaucracy, and requirements such as providing geolocation data are “too difficult” to meet.

This ignores real risks of illegal logging and forest degradation in Europe and undermines the core traceability and due diligence requirements that make the EUDR a relevant legislation.

The #Together4Forests campaign mobilised 1.2 million people to demand a strong new EU law in December 2020. Following this, the Commission proposed a Regulation to minimise EU-driven deforestation and forest degradation. 

In 2022, 53,000+ people across Europe sent environment ministers letters, urging them to protect forests, and, to amplify their voices,  the “Together for Forests” mural was unveiled in the European quarter in Brussels. Then, over the summer, more than 200,000 citizens sent personalised messages and memes to Members of the European Parliament urging them to protect forests and people's rights. The campaign also saw the backing of 78 companies, over 140 artists, and numerous renowned European scientists - all calling for decisive action to protect forests.

On 13 September 2022, the European Parliament voted in plenary for a strong EU Deforestation law. Later, in December the same year, EU leaders sealed the deal for a groundbreaking law to stop deforestation.

One of the most unique aspects of this law is that new rules will go beyond legality: in order to enter the EU market, products must not only be legal according to the producing country’s standards, but also free of deforestation and forest degradation. 

The EUDR entered into force in June 2023, and is set to apply starting 30 December 2025. 

In December 2022, following public pressure from 1.2 million citizens mobilised by the Together4Forests campaign, EU leaders sealed the deal for groundbreaking law to stop deforestation: the EU Deforestation Regulation (or EUDR for short).

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) entered into force in 2023.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is set to apply from 30 December 2025 for medium and large companies, and 30 June 2026 for micro and small businesses. Member States authorities will be performing checks on companies to ensure they comply with their obligations.

A ‘call for evidence’ is an online public consultation held by the European Commission when preparing to propose a new law or review an existing one. This includes a description of the initiative and invites citizens and stakeholders to provide feedback which the Commission will later on use in developing the initiatives.

Currently there is a wide-ranging and accelerated deregulation agenda, presented as ‘simplifying’ EU laws to reduce burdens on companies. This puts at risk essential environmental protections that have taken decades to put in place.

During the summer the Commission quietly launched a “call for evidence” on reducing the so-called administrative burden of environmental legislation, asking companies, organisations and citizens to provide input. 

That is why we need to act now! We need to tell decision makers we oppose weakening and removing nature laws like the EUDR. Send your message using this form, until 10 September 2025.

The call for evidence mentions policy areas like circular economy, industrial emissions and waste, but the EC has made it clear that this list is not exhaustive and that the proposed policy areas can - and most likely will - evolve, depending on stakeholder feedback and further analysis. Other laws possibly at stake include, but are not limited to:

- the EU Deforestation Regulation - the first law to stop deforestation by allowing only deforestation-free products into the EU;

- the Birds & Habitats Directives - among the world’s strongest protections for wildlife and nature;

- the Water Framework Directive - ensuring cleaner, healthier waters, by also tackling pollution,

- and the Nature Restoration Law - the EU’s first legally binding plan to bring nature back to life, especially in places that can absorb carbon and help protect us from floods, fires, and other natural disasters.